I've always worked in an environment where appearance needs to be 'professional' so a shirt and tie is required. I always have my tie a bit loose though, being a bit of a rebel
My viewpoint on this is that what you wear is tempered firstly by what is appropriate and secondly what you are confortable in. People with "style" or "individuality" are just as likely to look down on a suited and booted business type and judge them by what they are wearing. I like to dress in the appropriate attire for work, usually smart casual ie trousers and shirt or a suit for more important occasions, the beauty of that being that when I go home, I take that off and in effect change into a different mood and mindset. I remember in my youth looking at old (or what to me were old) Teddy boys, Hippies and Rockers almost sneeringly and thinking I didnt want to still be stuck in a niche when I was older. Well Im not but I now realise that it doesnt matter and I actually appreciate "stylised" retro fashion. I go to see bands from my youth and enjoy the gigs but have to say I couldnt bring myself to go and see, for instance, the Stranglers unless wearing black and shod in Docs! I appreciate people looking different and as I work in close proximity to students I love to see some of the car-crash attempts at individuality but hey - they are finding their way and wait till they see the photos when they are 30/40 something. Im from the Punk generation and yep - I may be a "suit" at work but I was never a "Plastic Punk" and the attitude still survives and sits on its perch ready to pounce. And it isnt just me. Theres plenty of us. I have colleagues who look like me and sound like me and who, when I get into conversation with them about going to gigs or whatever I realise how blindingly conservative they are and realise thats probably where Im pigeon-holed by the cool and trendy or the reactionarys amongst us! Friday nights drive home is punk drive, invariably the Pistols, Damned or SLF as loud as I can stand it! Never trust a Hippy!
As this is a forum for VW bus owners can everyone cease pretending that they wear anything but a fleece top and jeans 365 days a year? Thanks.
I reckon we would all like to think that we are taken for the person we are rather than the person we look like, and credit to those that do not 'bend' to others ideas of what 'should be', but it is a fact that 'first appearances' do impact in a multitude of situations either conciously or sub-conciously. I am not extreme in any way regarding my attire or attitude so I guess I tend to fit in to the situation around me naturally. Perhaps I should change my username to Mr Boring, or is that being judgemental Don't you mean long shorts, vans, shades and flat caps or pork pie hats ?
T shirt and jeans in the summer old chap. Is it a vw bus forum then? I thought it was a failed hippy's who happen to own a bus and have slight gay tendencies old folks home forum. My mistake, might have to find another forum now!
I just had a chat with a supplier based in Australia. Why did I go into a slight Aussie accent ? Was it because I then sound more like he does and negotiations are then easier ? And why since owning my camper, do I have to resist the urge to call people Dudes ?
Jeans? In summer? Are you mad @Sir Arthur ? Fleece? In summer? You are certifiably insane @Sir Arthur !!! It's way too hot for that amount of clothing
Similarly scruffy most of the time, suit for business meetings but I often don't bother with that any more. Acceptable business wear is a lot less formal than 10 years ago - I did 2 meetings yesterday in smart jeans, a work shirt with open collar and no tie and a jumper.
Yes I feel one should make an effort when its needed but I dislike dressing up so don't go anywhere I have to.
